Charities Change Lives. Their Websites Struggle to Change Search Results.

Nonprofit · 326 sites audited · March 22, 2026

AISO Score

AEO

SEO

Readability

Engagement

The State of Charity / Foundation Websites

A donor asks Perplexity: "Best charities for clean water in East Africa." Your foundation has drilled hundreds of wells. But your website has a mission statement, a donate button, and little else. Across 326 charity and foundation sites, the average AISO score is 55/100. SEO averages 85. AEO sits at 42.

Engagement scores 46 and readability hits 56. A total of 23% score below 50. Nonprofits do important work. Their websites need to tell that story in a way AI systems can share.

Schema markup is missing from 37% of charity websites. Without NGO or Organization schema, AI engines cannot identify your cause, impact, or donation options.

Why This Matters for Charity / Foundation

Charitable foundation is defined as a nonprofit organization that raises and distributes funds to support a specific cause, community, or mission. Donations increasingly come from online discovery. AI search is becoming a major channel for donor research.

When a potential donor asks an AI tool about charities in a specific cause area, AI reads impact data, mission descriptions, and transparency indicators. Charities with clear, structured web content get recommended. Those with only emotional appeals and a donate button do not.

Nonprofit transparency refers to openly sharing financial data, program outcomes, and organizational governance on a charity's website. AI engines use transparency signals to evaluate trustworthiness before recommending organizations.

Charities that publish impact data and program details on their website will earn AI-driven donor referrals.

Key Findings

23%

Score Below 50

37%

No Schema Markup

19%

No Open Graph Tags

42/100

Avg AI Engine Score

Key Takeaways

•
Impact data is buried in annual reports (PDFs) instead of accessible web pages AI can read.
•
Mission statements are vague using emotional language without specific program details.
•
Schema markup is missing preventing AI from categorizing your cause area and impact.
•
Financial transparency is poor with most charities hiding budgets behind PDF annual reports.
•
Program pages lack specifics describing goals but not methods, locations, or outcomes.
•
Accessibility is weak excluding supporters with disabilities from donating and volunteering.

Common Mistakes in Charity / Foundation Websites

PDF-only impact reports — AI cannot read annual reports in PDF format. Put key impact data on web pages.
Vague mission statements — "Making the world better" tells AI nothing. State the specific problem you solve and where.
No program detail pages — Each program needs its own page with goals, methods, locations, and outcomes.
Donation page without context — Show what each donation level funds. "$50 provides clean water for one family" is powerful content.
Missing financial data — Program spending ratios and overhead costs should be on the website, not just in tax filings.

How to Improve Your Charity / Foundation Website

Add NGO or NonprofitOrganization schema. Include cause area, programs, geographic focus, and donation options.
Publish impact data as web pages. Create annual impact pages with numbers, locations, and stories in HTML format.
Write detailed program pages. Each program needs goals, methods, locations served, and measurable outcomes.
Show donation impact clearly. Create a page showing what each dollar amount funds with specific examples.
Build a transparency page. Show financial ratios, board members, and recent tax filings in accessible format.

Dimension Breakdown

AI Engine (AEO) (30%)

SEO (20%)

Readability (25%)

Engagement (25%)

Score Distribution

AISO Score Ranges

0-9

10-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

132

60-69

106

70-79

80-89

90-99

Grade Distribution

0 (0%)

12 (4%)

106 (33%)

132 (40%)

76 (23%)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AISO score?

An AISO score is defined as a 0-to-100 website performance rating combining SEO, readability, engagement, AEO, and accessibility.

What is AEO?

AEO refers to Answer Engine Optimization. It means formatting your website so AI tools like ChatGPT can find and recommend your charity to potential donors.

Why do charities need website optimization?

Donors research charities using AI tools. Organizations with clear impact data, program details, and transparency information get recommended to potential supporters.

What schema should nonprofits use?

Use NonprofitOrganization schema with cause area, programs, and location. Add DonateAction schema for giving pages and FAQPage schema for donor questions.

How do AI engines evaluate charities?

AI looks for specific impact data, program descriptions, financial transparency, and clear mission statements. Emotional appeals without data get skipped.

Should charities share financial data on their website?

Yes. Program spending ratios, overhead percentages, and recent tax filings build trust with both donors and AI evaluation systems.

What accessibility issues affect charity websites?

Donation forms without proper labels, impact reports only in PDF format, and video testimonials without captions.

How often should charity websites be updated?

Update impact data quarterly. Add new program content monthly. Refresh annual report pages after each fiscal year.

All 326 Audited Sites

Domains are partially blurred. Scores range from 0 to 100.

#	Domain	AISO	Grade	AEO	SEO	Read.	Eng.
1	bh***.org	76	B	71	100	84	53
2	nev*****.org	75	B	71	97	77	61
3	nd**.net	73	B	58	90	87	63
4	hawai*******.com	72	B	60	93	79	64
5	cfjack*********.org	72	B	73	83	81	52
6	ore*****.org	71	B	50	98	82	65
7	aus*****.org	71	B	52	91	84	64
8	sdfou*******.org	70	B	73	100	50	64
9	athen*******.org	70	B	52	95	87	56
10	midnebra*************.org	70	B	55	93	81	57
11	areaf*********.org	70	B	60	92	76	58
12	unit*******.org	70	B	58	77	85	64
13	ic***.org	69	C	60	94	76	52
14	fccfo********.org	69	C	48	95	78	64
15	cobbf*********.org	69	C	71	92	70	47
16	cf***.org	68	C	48	95	75	65
17	ala*****.org	67	C	75	98	40	60
18	southe*********.org	67	C	60	80	66	64
19	heartlandc******************.org	67	C	60	81	86	47
20	mic*****.gov	67	C	64	84	65	58
21	cft****.org	67	C	66	95	78	36
22	utahf*********.org	67	C	61	95	72	46
23	catholi************.org	67	C	60	99	73	43
24	puerto**********.org	67	C	60	80	84	47
25	denver**********.org	66	C	46	92	82	55
26	greater*************.org	66	C	40	100	81	54
27	ma**.gov	66	C	48	90	64	70
28	commun*********.org	66	C	66	85	70	45
29	pccf-*******.org	66	C	52	83	79	55
30	kearne***********.org	66	C	52	95	85	42
31	utahn*********.org	66	C	42	97	84	53
32	d**.wi.gov	66	C	56	75	62	76
33	wy**.org	66	C	48	85	91	48
34	encyclop**************.net	65	C	63	85	61	57
35	ida****.org	65	C	58	97	73	40
36	b**.com	65	C	38	85	80	67
37	allia*******.org	65	C	56	90	68	52
38	mccormi************.org	65	C	63	100	62	42
39	cfo*****.org	65	C	48	97	76	47
40	mt**.org	65	C	58	90	79	40
41	forkid***********.org	65	C	40	94	90	46
42	cf***.org	65	C	42	99	77	53
43	washi********.com	65	C	40	100	75	57
44	af**.org	64	C	40	100	76	53
45	georgias*************.org	64	C	40	99	90	37
46	friend*********.org	64	C	56	81	75	47
47	br**.org	64	C	48	96	75	47
48	grfou*******.org	64	C	58	100	70	35
49	sp***.org	64	C	66	95	57	45
50	children*************.org	64	C	40	94	86	47
51	neva******.org	64	C	53	97	67	46
52	nh**.org	64	C	63	83	72	41
53	n**.org	64	C	60	80	67	53
54	dallas**********.org	64	C	48	97	65	57
55	ct***.org	64	C	48	98	78	43
56	charit**********.org	63	C	61	78	69	47
57	cf***.org	63	C	60	80	61	53
58	ifo***.org	63	C	63	91	56	48
59	helenaareac******************.org	63	C	52	88	67	51
60	gofou*******.org	63	C	58	78	68	53
61	bethel**********.org	63	C	40	88	90	42
62	cfjac********.org	63	C	52	95	53	59
63	ob***.org	63	C	56	99	64	42
64	cac*****.org	62	C	61	97	55	42
65	thecharit**************.net	62	C	35	77	83	60
66	hawaiicom****************.org	62	C	53	83	72	45
67	minneapo*************.org	62	C	52	91	77	37
68	mg***.org	62	C	58	80	63	50
69	cf**.org	62	C	48	85	70	52
70	wi**.org	62	C	40	87	92	37
71	robi*****.org	62	C	58	78	80	37
72	nonpro**********.org	62	C	52	97	49	57
73	rimo*****.com	62	C	40	93	82	45
74	sdcommun*************.org	62	C	40	95	81	42
75	td**.texas.gov	62	C	43	73	92	47
76	yc***.org	62	C	58	68	60	62
77	cfo***.org	62	C	58	90	66	40
78	alabam***********.org	61	C	53	78	65	52
79	arctics*************.org	61	C	50	92	52	59
80	foun******.providence.org	61	C	30	98	77	54
81	cal****.org	61	C	42	96	68	49
82	summit**********.org	61	C	40	85	85	41
83	delcof*********.org	61	C	40	97	77	42
84	delawa***********.org	61	C	60	99	49	42
85	cfgrea**********.org	61	C	40	85	76	50
86	cf***.org	61	C	30	80	79	64
87	ng**.org	61	C	30	95	90	40
88	iwcf*****.org	61	C	58	92	62	40
89	in**.org	61	C	30	95	73	59
90	vari*******.com	61	C	25	83	87	62
91	ckcf*******.org	61	C	42	80	81	48
92	appal********.org	61	C	40	95	54	67
93	frederi*************.org	61	C	37	90	82	47
94	al***.org	61	C	69	80	72	25
95	stl*****.org	61	C	48	95	73	37
96	akr****.org	61	C	53	97	66	35
97	char******.ohioago.gov	61	C	52	85	59	55
98	cf**.org	61	C	40	95	67	52
99	fc**.org	61	C	65	75	47	58
100	bus*****.greaterbentonville.com	60	C	42	90	77	40
101	o**.ca.gov	60	C	52	95	53	48
102	supportch***************.org	60	C	30	97	80	45
103	eagle********.org	60	C	40	90	66	52
104	connecticut*******************.org	60	C	30	99	78	45
105	ja***.org	60	C	38	100	70	43
106	cfc***.org	60	C	30	94	82	45
107	cf***.org	60	C	52	73	71	47
108	waynecou*************.org	60	C	42	80	85	42
109	cl**.net	60	C	35	75	84	53
110	cfw***.org	60	C	48	80	82	36
111	cordeiroch******************.org	60	C	42	100	51	57
112	a**.state.mn.us	60	C	47	81	72	45
113	mf**.org	60	C	48	83	71	43
114	socfc********.org	60	C	55	85	69	35
115	phil******.org	60	C	40	94	59	58
116	commo*******.org	60	C	40	97	61	52
117	seattl***********.org	60	C	43	82	75	48
118	data******.aecf.org	60	C	40	93	80	37
119	homeland**************.info	59	D	45	97	64	42
120	con***.org	59	D	42	78	86	38
121	flnon*******.org	59	D	48	88	62	47
122	dupage**********.org	59	D	38	91	82	37
123	masoniccha*****************.org	59	D	37	98	67	47
124	royaloakc**************.org	59	D	30	99	80	40
125	townpum***********.com	59	D	40	98	75	35
126	p**.gov	59	D	42	99	56	50
127	wacc******.org	59	D	42	83	72	46
128	fristf*********.org	59	D	35	75	90	42
129	uta***.org	59	D	38	93	51	64
130	ar***.org	59	D	61	83	44	54
131	thechari*************.org	59	D	28	95	69	58
132	cf***.org	59	D	25	94	79	52
133	cc***.org	59	D	48	98	68	30
134	giv***.childrenswi.org	59	D	48	75	73	47
135	ala*****.fcsuite.com	58	D	43	67	96	30
136	communit*************.org	58	D	38	100	60	47
137	ccm****.org	58	D	35	90	71	45
138	pa**.org	58	D	40	80	65	53
139	champli***********.org	58	D	48	83	61	47
140	cf-lo********.org	58	D	38	83	71	50
141	saa***.org	58	D	42	95	55	51
142	easte********.org	58	D	58	85	48	47
143	windham***********.org	58	D	55	60	87	31
144	sv**.org	57	D	55	80	54	42
145	cf***.org	57	D	42	85	73	35
146	gn**.org	57	D	30	94	68	47
147	cf**.org	57	D	42	95	72	30
148	cons******.org	57	D	38	85	77	37
149	communit*************.org	57	D	40	80	71	45
150	nmth*****.org	57	D	71	94	24	45
151	a**.ny.gov	57	D	48	100	45	47
152	ff**.org	57	D	43	86	60	47
153	tobykei************.org	57	D	40	77	79	40
154	che*****.org	57	D	30	95	69	47
155	rifou*******.org	57	D	48	98	62	30
156	sisterso**************.org	57	D	63	97	35	40
157	utahkid***********.org	57	D	40	78	70	47
158	phila*********.org	57	D	30	83	79	47
159	color********.org	56	D	30	85	62	58
160	cf***.org	56	D	58	92	35	47
161	desmoin************.org	56	D	38	94	81	24
162	centra*********.org	56	D	28	85	81	42
163	nonpr*********.org	56	D	40	85	69	40
164	nufou*******.org	56	D	25	85	78	47
165	hend*******.org	56	D	35	70	75	52
166	dayton**********.org	56	D	46	84	52	51
167	sisters***********.com	56	D	25	97	64	51
168	coastalcom****************.org	56	D	35	75	78	45
169	twent*********.wixsite.com	56	D	35	92	65	43
170	madis*******.org	56	D	25	83	75	52
171	d**.gov	56	D	43	79	63	45
172	kod*****.org	55	D	40	75	70	40
173	oc***.org	55	D	40	98	40	53
174	wf**.org	55	D	48	94	51	38
175	coll*****.org	55	D	52	95	36	47
176	nscfu********.org	55	D	35	95	59	42
177	hearto*********.org	55	D	48	75	55	48
178	marylan***********.org	55	D	40	91	55	46
179	cfh***.org	55	D	38	75	67	47
180	foundati**************.org	55	D	40	80	70	38
181	glcfo********.org	55	D	66	80	18	57
182	cfcmf*********.org	55	D	30	78	80	42
183	chari*******.com	55	D	33	68	80	47
184	communityfound************************.org	55	D	30	80	74	47
185	columbu***********.org	55	D	25	85	71	50
186	granth**********.org	55	D	25	79	87	38
187	mem****.dcchamber.org	55	D	33	83	67	47
188	calno********.org	54	D	50	68	55	45
189	phila*******.nonprofitvote.org	54	D	33	83	53	55
190	ci**.org	54	D	42	60	62	57
191	cf**.org	54	D	48	93	32	50
192	mai****.org	54	D	63	80	20	58
193	cumming***********.org	54	D	48	70	56	46
194	mtno*******.org	54	D	70	97	16	37
195	ohiochar*************.org	54	D	20	91	69	52
196	oc**.org	54	D	20	85	75	47
197	collin***********.org	54	D	35	67	83	38
198	d**.state.or.us	54	D	31	78	69	47
199	tccn******.org	54	D	18	85	68	57
200	verm*****.org	54	D	56	99	28	42
201	vermo*********.org	54	D	28	100	43	59
202	cfn***.org	54	D	25	65	77	57
203	virgin**********.com	54	D	55	83	35	47
204	cfwe*******.org	54	D	25	67	85	47
205	af***.org	53	D	63	95	10	51
206	de***.org	53	D	48	83	35	52
207	cff****.org	53	D	38	100	27	61
208	jc**.org	53	D	40	83	58	38
209	ma***.gov	53	D	43	15	97	52
210	cf**.org	53	D	43	80	45	50
211	pinebel***********.org	53	D	25	78	77	42
212	philan**********.org	53	D	66	62	47	37
213	tnnon*******.org	53	D	40	83	60	38
214	communi************.net	53	D	38	80	56	47
215	stratto***********.org	53	D	58	83	37	40
216	pcfv*******.org	53	D	44	90	41	47
217	hug*****.org	53	D	40	90	44	47
218	cfb***.org	52	D	48	78	51	37
219	coloradog**************.org	52	D	40	80	66	30
220	lega*****.org	52	D	30	92	58	40
221	wk**.org	52	D	25	97	63	37
222	communi************.org	52	D	20	99	61	45
223	mis***.org	52	D	62	65	42	40
224	aa***.org	52	D	20	100	57	45
225	sant*****.org	52	D	64	91	24	33
226	newmexi************.org	52	D	40	88	35	53
227	nn***.org	52	D	47	58	57	47
228	hori*******.com	52	D	52	90	35	40
229	cf***.org	52	D	40	85	66	25
230	chari********.com	52	D	48	97	32	40
231	por***.ct.gov	51	D	25	67	94	27
232	greene-id**************.org	51	D	38	72	61	40
233	louisia************.org	51	D	32	78	46	57
234	s**.maryland.gov	51	D	42	75	44	50
235	omahaf*********.org	51	D	40	92	54	30
236	cf**.org	51	D	47	73	43	45
237	bluefoundry********************.org	51	D	35	94	51	35
238	nyc****.nyc	51	D	30	42	85	49
239	giv***.ncsu.edu	51	D	38	90	46	42
240	sf***.org	51	D	38	93	35	49
241	serve********.org	51	D	33	97	35	52
242	azimpa*********.org	50	D	48	77	42	40
243	ar**.org	50	D	47	70	46	42
244	cfta******.org	50	D	42	93	40	36
245	yourcommu**************.org	50	D	35	85	42	47
246	iowacounc***************.org	50	D	46	70	26	62
247	mnao*****.org	50	D	33	83	47	48
248	nmm*****.org	50	D	64	75	10	53
249	civicf***********.org	50	D	30	77	68	36
250	sta****.org	50	D	50	77	50	30
251	tg**.com	49	F	25	75	55	50
252	cf***.org	49	F	40	80	38	47
253	sunflow************.org	49	F	25	82	53	47
254	libraf*********.org	49	F	35	68	71	30
255	phila*********.org	49	F	40	77	43	43
256	alli******.org	49	F	38	95	34	42
257	cathol***********.com	49	F	30	94	26	57
258	csg*****.org	49	F	42	81	36	45
259	scatterg*************.org	49	F	30	92	57	30
260	cf***.org	49	F	48	88	43	25
261	cau****.com	48	F	43	86	10	60
262	mc***.org	48	F	15	73	77	40
263	gnw***.org	48	F	40	85	35	42
264	south*******.org	48	F	28	92	46	37
265	minneso************.org	48	F	40	70	47	40
266	cfn***.org	48	F	25	92	53	37
267	thecommu**************.org	48	F	58	81	10	47
268	greatermil****************.org	48	F	50	83	30	37
269	the****.org	47	F	25	90	49	37
270	ccc****.org	47	F	40	90	34	35
271	cf***.org	46	F	30	99	39	30
272	greatn*********.org	46	F	30	99	11	59
273	pine******.org	46	F	40	98	10	47
274	cfsa******.org	46	F	48	83	19	40
275	char******.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov	46	F	35	75	35	45
276	cflou*******.org	46	F	37	78	33	45
277	given*******.org	46	F	25	80	30	61
278	gil***.org	46	F	30	83	41	40
279	ecc***.org	46	F	40	67	54	30
280	friends************.org	46	F	33	99	37	28
281	alaskac***********.org	44	F	25	97	10	57
282	hotcommu**************.org	44	F	40	95	10	40
283	ngo****.org	44	F	48	97	10	30
284	r**.hawaiicounty.gov	44	F	40	80	10	53
285	las***.org	44	F	23	75	41	47
286	cn***.org	44	F	43	94	10	40
287	mt**.org	43	F	30	99	20	38
288	nwndcommu**************.org	43	F	30	65	48	37
289	cf***.org	43	F	30	90	35	30
290	cf**.org	43	F	20	97	25	47
291	geor*****.org	42	F	40	93	10	37
292	nhg****.org	42	F	40	65	24	43
293	philant************.org	42	F	40	73	10	50
294	windriv************.org	42	F	40	72	30	33
295	marylan*************.org	41	F	40	80	10	40
296	thornbu************.org	41	F	48	72	10	37
297	nccommun*************.org	41	F	32	97	10	37
298	pittsbu*************.org	41	F	40	80	20	32
299	cfn***.org	40	F	38	63	10	53
300	se***.ky.gov	40	F	35	68	27	35
301	oklahomac***************.org	40	F	35	60	34	37
302	dakot*******.sd.gov	40	F	33	82	16	37
303	heal******.utah.edu	40	F	30	80	24	35
304	vtchil**********.org	40	F	30	85	10	47
305	wyno*******.org	40	F	23	73	30	45
306	cf***.org	39	F	32	80	10	45
307	d**.iowa.gov	39	F	30	86	10	40
308	jus****.oregon.gov	39	F	35	78	10	40
309	w**.idahononprofits.org	38	F	18	92	10	47
310	nh***.org	38	F	35	88	12	28
311	c**.vdacs.virginia.gov	38	F	28	78	17	39
312	inst*******.com	37	F	27	82	10	38
313	mem****.kynonprofits.org	37	F	28	80	10	40
314	clevela************.org	37	F	35	74	10	35
315	s**.tn.gov	37	F	28	83	10	37
316	mem****.utahnonprofits.org	37	F	25	60	24	47
317	idahon*********.org	36	F	15	89	10	45
318	char*****.sos.ms.gov	36	F	25	76	10	42
319	nebco*******.org	36	F	30	66	10	47
320	nhnon*******.org	36	F	30	77	15	30
321	ok***.org	36	F	20	88	10	40
322	charitydo****************.org	36	F	28	79	10	36
323	cha****.ehawaii.gov	32	F	25	50	10	47
324	w**.dscc.com	32	F	15	77	10	40
325	cfp***.org	32	F	15	85	10	30
326	d**.alabama.gov	31	F	25	68	10	30

Methodology

Each website was scored using AISO Studio's production scoring engine across four dimensions:

AEO (30%) — AI Engine Optimization: direct answer format, FAQ patterns, structured content, citation signals, topical authority
SEO (20%) — Title tags, meta descriptions, heading structure, links, images, keyword optimization
Readability (25%) — Flesch reading ease with normalized scoring, sentence complexity, audience appropriateness
Engagement (25%) — Content hooks, calls to action, questions, lists, quotes, emphasis, paragraph variety

326 sites collected across US states using geographic search queries. Scores reflect the state of each website at time of audit.

How Does YOUR Charity / Foundation Website Score?

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